Amex and Chase issued press releases today to unveil near term plans for converting their SPG and Marriott Rewards cards to the new all-in-one Marriott Bonvoy program. Here’s a summary of the changes, organized by the currently existing credit card names (scroll to the bottom for my impressions):
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card (as of Feb 13 2019)
- Last Day to Apply: February 12, 2019 (Amex will no longer accept new applications for this card beginning February 13th)
- New Retention Bonus Starting Feb 24 2019: For those who opened their accounts before Jan 23 2019 –> Earn up to 100K bonus points. Earn 25K bonus points for each $25K of spend through the end of 2019. “Eligible Card Members will receive more information about this offer, including the relevant terms and how to register their Card soon.”
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details This card is no longer available for new applications$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.Earning rate: 6X Marriott ✦ 2X on all other eligible purchasesCard Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.Big spend bonus: Marriott Gold Elite with $30K annual spend (note this threshold will increase to $35K on January 1, 2019)Noteworthy perks: 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary up to 35K points (subject to resort fees) ✦ Receive free premium internet at Marriott properties.See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (as of Feb 13 2019)
- New Welcome Bonus: For those who apply Feb 13 through April 24 2019, earn 100K points after $5K spend in 3 months.
- New Perks: Earn an additional 35K free night award with $60,000 or more spend per year
- New Annual Fee: $125 starting March 28 2019 (was $95)
- Card Members who apply before 3/28/19 will receive the first year free, then pay an annual fee of $95 at the following Card anniversary date, and then pay the new annual fee of $125 at their next Card anniversary date and on all Card anniversary dates thereafter.
- For current Card Members, the fee increase will take effect on the Card Member’s next Card anniversary date on or after 3/28/2019
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details Limited Time Offer - 125K Points ⓘ Affiliate125k points after $8K spend within the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)
(Offer Expires 3/12/2025)$125 Annual FeeRecent better offer: 5x50K free night certificates after $8K in spend (expired 10/16/24)Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy properties ✦ 4x at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. suppliers and on U.S. purchases for shipping ✦ 2x on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees)Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.Big spend bonus: Earn an additional 35k free night certificate (can be topped-up with up to 15k additional points, subject to resort fees) after you spend $60K on purchases in a calendar yearNoteworthy perks: Complimentary Marriott Gold elite status ✦ 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year ✦ 35k Free Night Award every year after card renewal (subject to resort fees) ✦ Complimentary premium Internet access at Marriott properties ✦ Terms Apply (Rates & Fees)See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Starwood Preferred Guest Luxury Card from American Express
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (as of Feb 13 2019)
- New Welcome Bonus: For those who apply Feb 13 through April 24 2019, earn 100K points after $5K spend in 3 months.
- New Perks: Starting March 28 2019, $100 in property credit per stay when cardholders use their Card and a special rate code to book stays of two or more nights at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® properties
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details 95K Points ⓘ Affiliate95k points after $6K spend within the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$650 Annual FeeRecent better offer: (Expired 10/2/24) 185k points after $6K spend within the first 6 months.FM Mini Review: Decent ultra-premium option for Marriott fans, especially those aiming for lifetime status tiersEarning rate: 3X airfare -on flights booked directly with airlines; 3X restaurants worldwide, 6X Marriott; 2X on all other eligible purchasesCard Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.Big spend bonus: Annual Choice Award with $60K calendar year spendNoteworthy perks: ✦ 85K Free Night Award each year upon renewal ✦ $300 dining credit per membership year ($25/mo) ✦ Platinum Elite status ✦ 25 elite nights credit ✦ Priority Pass membership (Lounges only) with 2 guests ✦ Global Entry fee credit ✦ Free premium internet at Marriott properties Note: Enrollment required for some benefits.See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Plus
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card (as of Feb 28 2019)
- New Welcome Bonus: Starting Feb 28 for a limited time, earn 100K points after $5K spend in 3 months.
- New Perks: Contactless (the Amex cards already have this feature)
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details 100,000 points + $150 statement credit ⓘ Friend-ReferralEarn 100K points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months and a $150 statement credit after making one purchase$95 Annual FeeThis card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details).Recent better offer: 5 x 50K free night certificates after $5K in spend (expired 1/9/24)Earning rate: ✦ 6X Marriott Bonvoy ✦ 3X gas stations, grocery stores, and dining on up to $6K in combined purchases each year ✦ 2X everywhere elseCard Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.Big spend bonus: Earn Gold status when you spend $35K each year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit towards elite status for every $5K spentNoteworthy perks: ✦ Annual free night certificate for 1 night at a hotel redemption level up to 35K ✦ Automatic Silver status ✦ 15 nights of elite credit each year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5K spentSee also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Business Plus
- New Name: Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business (as of Feb 28 2019)
- Last Day to Apply: February 12, 2019 (Chase will no longer accept new applications for this card beginning February 13th)
- New Perks: Earn an additional 35K free night award with $60,000 or more spend per year
- Same Annual Fee: $99 (pointing this out because the Amex business card will increase its fee to $125)
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details NoneThis card is no longer available$99 Annual FeeInformation about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.Earning rate: 6X Marriott ✦ 4X dining, internet, cable and phone service ✦ 4X gas stations and shipping ✦ 2X everywhere else.Card Info: Visa Signature Business issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.Noteworthy perks: 35K free night award each year upon renewal ✦ Gold status ✦ 15 elite night credits each calendar year ✦ Free in-room premium internet ✦ 7% discount off the standard rate for a standard room at participating hotels when you book direct (Terms and Conditions apply)See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Chase Ritz Carlton Rewards Visa Infinite
- New Name: The Ritz-Carlton Card
- New Perks: Starting April 2019, $100 in property credit per stay when cardholders use their Card and a special rate code to book stays of two or more nights at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® properties.
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details NoneThis card is no longer available$450 Annual FeeInformation about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.FM Mini Review: While the card is pricey, the annual free night, plus $300 in ariline fee credits, plus other perks make this card a keeper.Earning rate: ✦ 6X Ritz & Marriott.✦ 3X airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, at car rental agencies and at restaurants ✦ 2X everywhere elseCard Info: Visa Infinite issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.Big spend bonus: $75K spend per calendar year for Platinum elite statusNoteworthy perks: ✦ Annual 85K hotel certificate upon renewal ✦ 3 club level upgrades. $100 hotel credit for each 2 night or longer stay ✦ Priority Pass Select with unlimited guests ✦ Access Sapphire Lounges for yourself and unlimited guests for free ✦ $300 annual credit for airline incidentals ✦ Automatic Gold StatusSee also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
Chase Marriott Rewards Premier
- New Name: Not yet announced
- New card design:
- Current card info:
Card Offer and Details NoneThis card is no longer available$85 Annual FeeInformation about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.Earning rate: ✦ 2X airline, car rental, & restaurants ✦ 5X Marriott.Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.Big spend bonus: 1 credit towards elite status for every $3,000 in purchasesNoteworthy perks: ✦ 15 night credit towards elite status every year upon account anniversary ✦ Free category 1-5 certificate each year upon renewal
New No-Fee Marriott consumer card from Chase coming this summer
- No additional details have been released yet
My first impressions
- Bonvoy is still a stupid name
- I’m not excited about the alliteration that will make it hard to remember which card is which. Which is a higher end card? Bonvoy Brilliant? Bonvoy Boundless? I would have guessed that boundless trumps brilliant, but I’d be wrong. In my opinion, Amex should have stuck with the Luxury Card name for their $450 card.
- I love the card art on the Bonvoy Amex (AKA old SPG consumer card)! I predict that this will be the card to have since you won’t be able to get it starting Feb 13 2019. For $95 per year, it’s worth keeping for the annual 35K free night… and the card art.
- It’s also interesting that Amex is encouraging spending on the old SPG card by offering 25K bonus points per $25K spend, up to 100K. If you spend exactly a multiple of $25K, the card effectively has it’s old earning power of 1 SPG point = 3 Marriott.
- Both the Amex and Chase business cards are gaining the ability to earn a second 35K free night with $60K spend. For those who spend a lot at gas stations to earn 4X rewards, this should come as good news.
- I’m bummed that the Ritz and Lux.. er, Brilliant cards didn’t add big spend bonuses like free nights or extra points. Only those cards offer Platinum status with $75K spend, so it would be nice for Marriott to offer more than just elite status for that high spend.
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[…] cards that have been issued in the United States. With each card you’ll see first the Marriott Bonvoy card name and the original card name in parentheses (many of the cards were previously issued as Starwood […]
[…] month ago, Amex and Chase announced changes to the SPG / Marriott credit cards to account for the Marriott Bonvoy rebranding. Some of those […]
[…] Last Day to Apply: February 12, 2019 […]
Question: I have the Amex SPG card atm, can i get the sign up bonus from the Chase Marriott boundless card(which comes out Feb?)
No. You would have to first cancel the SPG card and wait 31 days before applying for the Chase card.
Gred, when do the new spend SPG personal card bonuses begin and do you need to sign up (if so, how/when/where)?
Feb 24. “Eligible Card Members will receive more information about this offer, including the relevant terms and how to register their Card soon.”
[…] changes to their Marriott/SPG credit cards. That couldn’t be ignored, so I published “Marriott Bonvoy credit card changes announced.” And, that led to more thoughts and questions, so I followed that up with “Bonvoy […]
[…] shows all of the Marriott cards that I know of. With each card you’ll see first the new Marriott Bonvoy card name and the original card name in […]
I just got new info from Amex about the SPG business card annual fee (and added it to this post):
Card Members who apply before 3/28/19 will receive the first year free, then pay an annual fee of $95 at the following Card anniversary date, and then pay the new annual fee of $125 at their next Card anniversary date and on all Card anniversary dates thereafter.
For current Card Members, the fee increase will take effect on the Card Member’s next Card anniversary date on or after
3/28/2019
Thanks for looking into this and the quick replies! You’re the best.
It figures that my card anniversary date for my SPG biz is 4/4/19. I’m definitely gonna call and try to talk them out of it.
Greg:
A) If we sign up for the new offer SPG/Bonvoy Business card (100k/$5k; starting Feb 13th) prior to the AF increase ($95->$125; March 28th), will we be grandfathered into the lower AF rate ($95)?
B) If we are current holders of the SPG Biz card, will we be grandfathered into the lower AF rate ($95)?
BTW, this whole Bonvoy name system is terrible IMO
A) Yes. I’m not sure if that lasts past the first year though. First year = $0 annual fee. Second year = $95. I’m not sure about third year.
B) For at least one year, yes. I’m trying to get a definitive answer from Amex.
Just got official answers from Amex:
A) Card Members who apply before 3/28/19 will receive the first year free, then pay an annual fee of $95 at the following Card anniversary date, and then pay the new annual fee of $125 at their next Card anniversary date and on all Card anniversary dates thereafter.
B) For current Card Members, the fee increase will take effect on the Card Member’s next Card anniversary date on or after 3/28/2019
omg my anniversary d ate is 3/29 for the spg business – haha
[…] other changes soon to come to their Marriott and SPG credit cards. I covered the details here: Marriott Bonvoy credit card changes announced. As changes often do, these changes create opportunities which I’ll discuss below. But […]
Am I correct that SPG Lux card will have 2 benefits: $300 st. credit/year in Marriott/SPG properties + $100 property credit/stay?
Yes, but note the restrictions on the $100 property credit.
I’m not eligible for the bonus but thinking of getting the Chase business card for the annual 35k certificate. It should be worth more than $99 even with the new devalued program.
Think the new Ritz card will be sbject to 5/24? If so, wonder if you can PC to it…
The new Ritz card won’t be available to new applicants. I don’t know if they’ll allow product changes to it (I doubt it, but maybe)
from a subsequent post of yours, yes!
Bear: Yes, they allow product changes to the Ritz from other Chase Marriott consumer cards
Josh: Thanks for the reminder :).
Greg, I can’t find this information.. do you know if someone will be able to product change from Bonvoy Brilliant to Bonvoy American Express Card in future for example after February 13th? I upgraded to SPG Luxury cards back in October… I am trying to understand if I can downgrade it to Bonvoy American Express Card in future.. Thanks..
Just heard from Amex: Yes they say that downgrades from Brilliant to Bonvoy will be allowed even after plain Bonvoy is no longer available for new applicants.
Thank you Greg for reaching out to Amex and finding out this valuable information. I really appreciate that.
A question on the SPG luxury card. It says spend $75000 on the card and upgrade to platinum elite. But, when I look at the fine print it states that you are not eligible for this if you already have platinum elite or higher status this card won’t work. I’m wondering if in this new phase they will make the SPG luxury card similar to the Ritz Carlton card in being able to renew or repeat platinum elite level status.
I’m not sure if that fine print is correct. My bet is that it means (for example) that if it’s 2019 and you already earned 50 nights for 2020 Platinum year elite status, then spending $75K in 2019 won’t give you double Platinum status. Something like that.